You’ve seen everything: the sudden school closures in the tenth grade, the dreary loneliness in the children’s room, the shaky connections when homeschooling, the tough exchange classes, the joyful return to normal school life. This year’s Abitur class from the Free State is corona steeled. Despite everything, the Bavarian students repeated last year’s record high school diploma with a state-wide average of 2.15. The eventful time will come to an end this Friday: Then the 35,000 Bavarian high school graduates will be released. They accompany very different feelings.
David Fischer, 19 years old, Gymnasium Franconian Switzerland, Ebermannstadt, Upper Franconia
Originally, David Fischer would have liked to go to sea. But now his plan B is taking hold. “I guess it’s fate,” he says.
(Photo: private)
“My parents used to take me on boat trips, for example to the Mediterranean and to Norway. The freedom on the high seas, the endless view in all directions, the different cultures where you dock: All of this is the highest for me. That’s why my goal had been clear for a long time, to study shipping as part of a dual course.
But when I was in high school, I became ambitious. I put two additional screens next to my laptop and digitized all my learning materials. When I was homeschooling, I had time to just do the math. There wasn’t anything else to do. When I graduated from high school, it paid off, especially for the math exam. I now have an average of 1.7 – I’m very happy with that.
I won’t miss school anyway. Overall, the past two years have been pure hell. The upper level is really just a matter of grades. This kind of performance survey is actually wasted lifetime, the abundance of meaninglessness is terrible. I’m really glad that’s over. The school should be linked much more to reality.
Although I got my boat driver’s license alongside my Abitur, the dual training in nautics and the dream of sailing around the world’s oceans unfortunately didn’t work out. That’s a shame. Because Bavaria is beautiful, but the Franconians are rather closed.
Instead, I will study electrical engineering and information technology at the FAU and, at the same time, do an apprenticeship in the energy sector at Siemens. Although that was “only” plan B, I have a really good feeling about it. It starts in August. Until then I will help my uncle on the farm. Mowing, cutting wood, servicing the tractor. It’s good to know where a screw belongs in life.”
Melanie Grabau, 18, Johann-Michael-Fischer-Gymnasium, Burglengenfeld, Upper Palatinate
Melanie Grabau was able to live out her love of literature in lockdown.
(Photo: private)
“I’m really sad that it’s all over now. The last two years in high school were really the best time. I was finally able to really throw myself into my favorite subjects: history, languages, German. At home I had a lot of time to read , from Goethe’s classic “Iphigenie auf Tauris” to modern novels like “Das Musselessen”. In order not to get too lonely in lockdown, a friend and I read the books to each other in the video call.
There wasn’t much partying, my grandparents live in the house. I would never have forgiven myself for infecting her with Corona. In return, they helped with the preparation for the history high school diploma. They told me about the war, how they fled into the bunkers and trenches. Our teachers have also made a lot of effort to ensure that we don’t miss anything. Even those who are about to retire have found their way into PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams. Only the internet didn’t play along with everyone. That’s why I sometimes had to connect a friend to online lessons over the phone.
Returning to school was a logistical challenge for everyone. Because of the distance rules, we were divided into two rooms, so the teachers sometimes had to teach in the doorway between the classrooms. It was a real disaster in the gym. The teachers had to use the microphone to make themselves heard. Experiments like this were an advantage when we graduated from high school: after all, we were already familiar with the sports hall as a classroom.
The exams all went well, but one thing is certain: Math and I will no longer be friends. After the summer I would like to study German and history to become a teacher. Thanks to my two subject teachers, I know how important it is when the teacher is passionate about what I do. Maybe I’ll end up back at my old school later – then as a teacher myself and the first academic in my family.”
Amelie Aigner, 18, Ruperti-Gymnasium, Mühldorf, Upper Bavaria
Amelie Aigner is close to her home and would like to stay in the region.
(Photo: private)
“I’ve been playing volleyball since fifth grade, now three times a week. Luckily, in high school I was already quite good at juggling different things and clearing my head. Recently, my family has also been very supportive. My parents cleared their office especially for me to study in. There I then crammed with index cards and Post-Its for my Abitur. Meanwhile, the family gave me little motivating chocolate bars with self-written stickers like “Endspurt”, “Superkraft”, “Kraft im Square”.
Apparently it helped, the exams went really well. Only in German did I take a wrong turn somewhere in the drama analysis. Since I am ambitious by nature, I sat down again and did a voluntary re-examination. With the beautiful weather, I really had to motivate myself. But it was worth it: I was able to improve by a tenth, to 1.2.
At school, I was particularly attracted to the economics and law content. Business in particular has sharpened my view of the big picture. How should the fiscal policy of the European Central Bank be understood? Why do we have such high inflation? The legal content, on the other hand, was very realistic. What rights do I have if the order from the Internet arrives late? What if the assembly instructions are delivered in the wrong languages?
I want to build on that in the future. After the summer I would like to study business psychology, preferably in Munich. Before that, there is still enough time to work – and hopefully to play a lot of volleyball. It’s been a bit short lately.”
Hans Oertel, 18, Egbert-Gymnasium, Münsterschwarzach, Lower Franconia
18-year-old Hans Oertel graduated from Egbert-Gymnasium in Münsterschwarzach, Lower Franconia. Nevertheless, he wants to do an apprenticeship first.
(Photo: private)
“The last few days have been really stressful. We celebrate our prom at school and organize everything ourselves: catering, drinks, music. Recently we ran out of budget for dessert. But we can manage that, especially after these crazy school years.
The eleventh grade in particular was quite turbulent. German exams were pushed back three times and oral grades were collected like crazy. The lockdown was comparatively relaxed. Everyone had to find their rhythm first. The teachers too: In the beginning, they literally overwhelmed us with work assignments. Despite everything, I got an Abitur of 1.2. I’m really very happy with that.
At first I thought I wanted to study. But sitting at your desk and writing essays is always a never-ending struggle that takes a lot out of your head and nerves. Academically you are mainly dependent on yourself. But in the kitchen, for example, there are always several people.
That’s why I decided to train as a chef. I’ve always enjoyed cooking. Last year I did two internships in local inns and one in an upscale Munich restaurant. There I cut potatoes and onions and prepared packets of butter. I was really impressed by how the plates flew from one side to the other.
I am very excited about the training there. On site, I was told that I should adapt to a democratic dictatorship – what the boss says can be discussed when the meal is ready. But actually I look at it calmly. I come from a large family with many siblings, so I’m used to stressful situations.”